Double-ended lamp socket system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A double-ended socket system for safely and easily seating a double-ended lamp is disclosed. The system has two socket assemblies spaced a distance corresponding to the length of a double-ended lamp. Each socket assembly has a housing with a recess that houses a cylindrical socket for receiving a lamp end that rotates between a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation. The housing has an attached electrical connector connected to a power source. The socket has another attached electrical connector that contacts the electrical connector of the housing only when the socket is rotated to the engaged orientation, thus eliminating the electrical shock hazard of conventional double-ended socket systems. The lamp may be removed only while in the disengaged orientation. A user may install a double-ended lamp into the socket system by use of only one hand. A method of use of a double-ended socket system is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applicationentitled “LAMP REFLECTOR, BULB, AND SAFETY SOCKET,” Ser. No. 62/591,639,filed Nov. 28, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedentirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

This invention relates generally to lighting products, and particularlyto double-ended socket system for safely and easily seating adouble-ended lamp.

State of the Art

Any of a variety of existing double-ended high-intensity discharge (HID)lamps, such as double-ended high-pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide(MH) lamps, for example, comprises an elongated glass tubular bulbcontaining an arc tube assembly. The lamp further comprises first andsecond electrical wire leads, protruding from opposed first and secondends of the bulb, respectively. Light emanates from the arc tubeassembly in response to an electrical current passing therethrough whenthe lamp is secured into a double-ended socket assembly, therebycompleting a closed circuit with a power source.

One problem with conventional double-ended socket assemblies is thatthey pose significant risk of electrical shock to a user whileinstalling a double-ended lamp therein. For example, a user may installa first end of a double-ended lamp, such that the first electrical wirelead engages an electrical contact within the first socket, which iscoupled to the power source, thereby electrically energizing the secondelectrical wire lead at the second end of the double-ended lamp. Sincethe second end of the double-ended lamp is exposed, having not yet beeninstalled, the user is at risk of receiving a potentiallylife-threatening electrical shock by touching the exposed andelectrically-energized second electrical wire lead.

A second problem with conventional double-ended socket assemblies isthat they allow for possible incorrect installation of a double-endedlamp, resulting in risk of electrical arc discharge, when energized. Theopposed first and second ends of the bulbs of existing double-ended HIDlamps have first and second flat end portions thereof, respectively,that are intended to lie horizontally within conventional double-endedsocket assemblies, when installed correctly. Unfortunately, it ispossible to incorrectly install such a lamp with the flat end portionslying vertically within the socket assemblies, such that the electricalwire leads thereof are dose to, but not actually in contact with, theelectrical contacts within the sockets, thereby creating conditions forelectric arc discharge when energized. Alternatively, conventionaldouble-ended socket assemblies allow for the electrical wire leads to bebent or curled during installation, even when installed with the flatend portions of the bulb lying horizontally, similarly creatingconditions for electric arc discharge when energized. Such electric arcdischarge may cause a fire, charring or burning of the socket assemblyor other components of the luminaire.

A third problem with conventional double-ended socket assemblies is thatthey require the use of two hands of a user for installation of adouble-ended lamp. Typically, a user must hold the lamp in place withone hand while the other hand slides or closes a sliding or hingedretention component of a socket to secure a first end of the lamp, andthen repeat for the second end of the lamp. Often, it is desirable for auser to be able to safely and easily install a double-ended lamp withuse of only one hand.

Accordingly, what is needed is a double-ended socket assembly forreceiving a double-ended lamp that may be installed therein by a user,without risk of electrical shock or electrical arc discharge, and withuse of only one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lighting products, andparticularly to a double-ended socket system for safely and easilyseating a double-ended lamp, such as a double-ended high intensitydischarge (HID) lamp.

Embodiments of a double-ended socket system comprise a first socketassembly and a second socket assembly spaced a distance apart from eachother corresponding to the length of a double-ended lamp. The first andsecond socket assemblies may be coupled to a light fixture, or toanother suitable mounting support or component of a luminaire.

In embodiments, each of the first and second socket assemblies comprisesa housing having a recess therein for housing a socket of substantiallycylindrical shape such that the socket may be rotated within the recessbetween a disengaged orientation and an engaged orientation. The socketis configured to seat an end of a double-ended lamp, wherein the end ofthe lamp may rotate the socket in response to a user rotating the lamp.

In operation, a user may grasp the lamp and thereby insert the endsthereof into the sockets for seating the lamp. In some embodiments, thesockets cannot be rotated from a disengaged orientation to an engagedorientation unless both ends of the lamp are seated within the sockets.Embodiments thus allow a user to grasp a double-ended lamp and easilyinstall it to a double-ended socket system using only one hand andwithout the use of any tools. One-handed removal of the lamp from thesocket system is likewise easy to perform by reverse motion.

A power contact may be coupled to the housing and coupled to a first endof a power supply wire, wherein a second end of the power supply wire iscoupled to a power supply. A main contact may be coupled to the socket,such that the main contact engages the power contact while in theengaged orientation and the main contact does not engage the powercontact while in the disengaged orientation.

In operation, the lamp is not energized while seated in the sockets inthe disengaged orientation. In such embodiments, it is only when theuser rotates the lamp, such that the sockets rotate to the engagedorientation, that a circuit is competed to energize the lamp to emitlight. The lamp may thereby be prevented from otherwise becomingenergized, thus eliminating a risk of electrical shock of conventionalsystems.

In embodiments, each of the first and second socket assemblies isconfigured such that the electrical wire lead of the end of the lamp isheld straight and in contact with the main contact thereof, thuseliminating a risk of electric arc discharge of conventional systems.

In embodiments, the lamp may only be installed or removed when thesocket is in the disengaged orientation. In some embodiments, the socketmay further comprise a cover, hingedly coupled to the socket, such thatthe cover may rotate between an open orientation and a closedorientation, wherein the end of the lamp may be seated into the socketwhile the cover is open, and the cover may be closed over the end of thelamp to prevent removal of the lamp while the cover is closed. In suchembodiments, the cover may be closed by contact of the cover with thehousing, upon rotation of the lamp by the user, such that the lampcannot be removed once the socket is rotated beyond a minimum angle fromthe disengaged orientation because the cover will he closed, therebypreventing the lamp from being removed.

Each of the first and second socket assemblies may further comprise asnapping mechanism for snapping the socket into the engaged orientationor the disengaged orientation.

A method of using a double-ended socket system is also disclosed.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double-ended lamp socket systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a socket assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a conventional double-ended HID lamp;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a socket assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5A is a front view of a socket assembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5B is an alternative front view of a socket assembly according toan embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a socket assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7A is a rear view of a socket assembly in a disengaged orientationaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a rear view of a socket assembly in a partially-rotatedorientation according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7C is a rear view of a socket assembly in an engaged orientationaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a socket assembly with the housingremoved according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method of use of a double-ended lampsocket system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relategenerally to lighting products, and particularly to a double-endedsocket system for safely and easily seating a double-ended lamp, such asa double-ended high intensity discharge lamp.

Referring to the drawings, as shown in FIG. 1, embodiments of adouble-ended lamp socket system 10 comprise a first socket assembly 12and a second socket assembly 14. The first and second socket assemblies,12 and 14, may be coupled to a light fixture, or to another suitablemounting support or component of a luminaire, at a spaced distance apartfrom each other corresponding to the length of a double-ended lamp 16,such as, for example, a double-ended high-intensity discharge (HID)lamp, which may be, for example, a high-pressure sodium (UPS), or ametal halide (MH) lamp. The first and second socket assemblies, 12 and14, are each of the same components and design, being disposed atopposite ends of the lamp 16. A conventional double-ended HID lamp 16 isshown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2-7, in embodiments, each of the first and secondsocket assemblies, 12 and 14, comprises a housing 20 having asubstantially cylindrical recess 22 therein for housing a socket 24. Thesocket 24 may be of substantially cylindrical shape and housed withinthe recess 22 of the housing 20 such that the socket 24 is free torotate about the longitudinal axis thereof within the recess 22 betweena disengaged orientation, as shown in FIG. 7A, and an engagedorientation, as shown in FIG. 7C.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a socket assembly 12, according to anembodiment, with the housing 20 removed in order to show interiorcomponents of the socket assembly 12. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 8, each of the first and second socket assemblies, 12 and 14, mayfurther comprise a pin 26 coupled to the housing 20 and extending into aslot 28 disposed about a circumference of the socket 24. The slot 28 maybe limited in length, wherein the slot 28 only partially circumscribesthe socket 24, thereby limiting the range of rotation of the socket 24within the housing 20. For example, in some embodiments, the slot 28 mayextend substantially 180 degrees around the socket 24, such thatrotation of the socket 24 within the housing 20 is limited to 180degrees by the pin 26 extending within the slot 28, such that the pin 26engages a first end 30 of the slot while in the disengaged orientationand the pin 26 engages a second end (not shown) of the slot 28 while inthe engaged orientation.

Although rotation of the socket 24 within the housing 20, in someembodiments, is described as being limited by a pin 26 coupled to thehousing 20 and extending into a slot 28 in the socket 24, this is notintended to be limiting. It should be understood that any of a varietyof mechanisms may be employed to limit the range of the rotation of thesocket 24 within the housing 20, such as by a lip (not shown) protrudingfrom the socket 24 that engages a pair of stops (not shown) on thehousing 20 at either end of a range of rotation, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the socket 24 may be configured to seat an end 18 ofa double-ended lamp 16 such that the longitudinal axis of the lamp 16 issubstantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the socket 24,wherein the end 18 of the lamp 16 may rotate the socket 24 in responseto a user rotating the lamp 16. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and513, in some embodiments, the socket 24 comprises at least one seatingsurface 34 for seating a flat portion 36 of an end 18 of a double-endedlamp 16 thereon. In such embodiments, the socket 24 may further comprisea cover 38, hingedly coupled to the socket 24, such that the cover 38may rotate between an open orientation, as shown in FIG. 5A, and aclosed orientation, as shown in FIG. 5B, wherein the end 18 of the lamp16 may be seated into the socket 24 while the cover 38 is open, and thecover 38 may be closed over the end 18 of the lamp 16 to prevent removalof the lamp 16 while the cover 38 is closed.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the first and secondsocket assemblies, 12 and 14, further comprises at least onespring-loaded lamp-centering pin 40 coupled to the socket 24 of thefirst socket assembly 12, and at least one corresponding spring-loadedlamp-centering pin (not shown) coupled to the socket 24 of the secondsocket assembly 14, such that the end surface 42, as shown in FIG. 2, ofthe flat end 18 of a double-ended lamp 16 engages the spring-loadedlamp-centering pin 40. The spring 44, shown in FIG. 2, of thespring-loaded pin 40 may be compressed when a user seats the flat end 18of the lamp 16 within the socket 24, in response to the end surface 42engaging the spring-loaded pin 26. In similar fashion, the spring of thespring-loaded pin (not shown) of the opposed socket assembly iscompressed when a user seats the opposed flat end of the lamp within theopposed socket (not shown). The lamp 16 is thereby maintained in acentered position between the first and second socket assemblies, 12 and14, wherein the opposing spring forces are maintained in equilibrium.

In operation of an embodiment, a user may grasp the lamp 16 and therebyinsert the flat ends 18 thereof within the sockets 24 of each of thefirst and second socket assemblies, 12 and 14, respectively, for seatingthe lamp 16 within the sockets 24 of the double-ended socket system 10.In an embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the lamp 16 and the sockets24 are substantially aligned, and the sockets 24 cannot be rotated froma disengaged orientation to an engaged orientation unless both ends 18of the lamp 16 are seated within the sockets 24 of the double-endedsocket system 10, respectively. This is a safety feature that willbecome apparent in light of further explanation below. In embodimentscomprising a cover 38, hingedly coupled to each of the sockets 24, asdescribed above, the cover 38 may be closed by contact of the cover 38with the housing 20, upon rotation of the lamp 16 by the user, withoutthe need for the user to close the cover 38 by hand. In suchembodiments, the socket 24 cannot be rotated unless the lamp end 18 isproperly seated within the socket 24 such that the cover 38 may properlyclose as the lamp 16 is rotated. Embodiments of the invention thus allowa user to grasp a double-ended lamp 16 and easily install it into adouble-ended socket system 10 using only one hand and without the use ofany tools.

In an embodiment, the housing 20 is configured such that the cover 38closes when the socket 24 is rotated a predetermined angle from thedisengaged orientation. For example, the cover 38 may be open while inthe disengaged orientation and be closed in response to engagement withthe housing 20 upon rotation of the socket 24 a minimum angle of from 2to 5 degrees. In such embodiments, the lamp 16 cannot be removed oncethe socket 24 is rotated beyond the minimum angle because the cover 38will be closed, thereby preventing the lamp 16 from being removed.

One-handed removal of the lamp 16 from the socket system 10 is likewiseeasy to perform by reverse motion. For example, in reverse motion, theuser may grasp the lamp 16 with one hand and first rotate the lamp 16from the engaged orientation to the disengaged orientation. The covers38 are then free to open, due to no longer being restricted by thehousing 20, thereby allowing free removal of the lamp 16. The user maythen remove the lamp 16 from the sockets 24.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, each of the first and second socket assemblies,12 and 14, may further comprise a power contact 46 coupled to thehousing 20 and coupled to a first end 50 of a power supply wire 48,wherein a second end 52 of the power supply wire 48 is coupled to anelectrical power supply (not shown). Each of the first and second socketassemblies, 12 and 14, may further comprise a main contact 54 coupled tothe socket 24, such that the main contact 54 engages the power contact46 while in the engaged orientation, as shown in FIG. 7C, and the maincontact 54 does not engage the power contact 46 while in the disengagedorientation, as shown in FIG. 7A. The main contact 54 may be configuredsuch that it extends to the socket 24, wherein the electrical wire lead56 of an end 18 of the lamp 16 engages the main contact 54 while the end18 of the lamp 16 is seated within the socket 24, thereby maintainingelectrical contact between the main contact 54 and the electrical wirelead 56.

In operation of embodiments, the lamp 16 is not energized while seatedin the sockets 24 in the disengaged orientation, as shown in FIG. 7A.This is true whether the cover 38 is open, as shown in FIG. 5A, orclosed, as shown in FIG. 513. In such embodiments, it is only when theuser rotates the lamp 16, such that the sockets 24 rotate to the engagedorientation, as shown in FIG. 7C, that electrical current flows from theelectrical power source, through the power supply wire 48, to the powercontact 46, and through the main contact 54 to the electrical wire lead56 of an end 18 of the lamp 16. For example, in some embodiments, thelamp 16 is not energized until it has been rotated at least 60 degreesfrom the disengaged orientation. A circuit is thereby completed, as thecurrent flows through the lamp 16 to an electrical wire lead 56 of theopposing end 18 of the lamp 16, and back to the power source throughcorresponding components of the opposed socket assembly 14, therebyenergizing the lamp 16 to emit light. In embodiments in which thesockets 24 are not able to be rotated unless both ends 18 of the lamp 16are seated within the sockets 24 of the double-ended socket system 10,respectively, the lamp 16 is thereby prevented from otherwise becomingenergized. The electrical shock hazard of conventional double-endedsocket systems, wherein a user may insert a first end of a lamp into anenergized socket, thereby energizing the exposed electrical wire lead ofthe opposing end, is thus eliminated.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second socket assemblies, 12 and14, is configured such that the electrical wire lead 56 of the end 18 ofthe lamp 16 is held straight and in contact with the main contact 54thereof. For example, the main contact 54 may be spring-loaded, suchthat the main contact 54 remains biased against the electrical wire lead56, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B and 7C, thereby remaining in electricalcontact with the electrical wire lead 56. The risk of electric arcdischarge of conventional double-ended socket systems, wherein theelectrical wire lead may be bent, or inadvertently or otherwiseinstalled dose to, but not in direct contact with, the main contact, isthus eliminated.

Each of the first and second socket assemblies, 12 and 14, may furthercomprise a snapping mechanism for snapping the socket 24 into theengaged orientation. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, theassembly may comprise a ball detent 58 further comprising aspring-loaded ball piston 60, shown in FIG. 2, coupled to the housingsuch that the ball 62 thereof extends into and engages an indentation 64on the socket 24 when the socket 24 is in the engaged orientation tohold the socket 24 in the engaged orientation with no other force,thereby snapping the socket 24 into the engaged orientation when thesocket 24 is rotated to the engaged orientation. Then, the force of thespring 66 may be overcome to release the ball 62 from the indentation 64in response to a user rotating the lamp 16 from the engaged orientationtoward the disengaged orientation. In some embodiments, withoutlimitation, the socket 24 will snap into an engaged orientation when thelamp 16 has been substantially rotated 180 degrees from the disengagedorientation. Similarly, the socket 24 may comprise a second indentation(not shown) disposed such that the socket 24 also snaps into thedisengaged orientation. This snapping detent mechanism is not intendedto be limiting. It should be understood that any of a number of detentmechanisms may be utilized to snap the socket into the engagedorientation or the disengaged orientation, such as other spring-loadedmembers, cam levers, notches, pin detents, ball detents, and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method 70 of using a double-ended socket system,comprising: grasping a double-ended lamp [Step 72]; inserting the endsof the lamp into the sockets of the first and second socket assembliesof a double-ended socket system while the sockets are in a disengagedorientation, respectively [Step 74]; and rotating the lamp to rotate thesockets to an engaged orientation [Step 76]. In embodiments, each andall of the steps of the method may be performed by a user by use of onlyone hand and no other tools. Further, in embodiments of the method, thelamp may be removed from the system only while the sockets are in adisengaged orientation. In some embodiments of the method, each of thefirst and second socket assemblies comprises a snapping mechanism forsnapping the socket into the engaged orientation, the method furthercomprising snapping the socket into the disengaged orientation.

Although the previous embodiments are configured to receive an HID lamp16, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, othernon-HID lamps having electrical contacts at opposing ends of the lampmay be employed.

Components of any double-ended socket system 10 that may be in contactwith electrical circuitry are preferably formed of nonconductivematerials, while electrical circuitry is formed of conductive materials.The components defining any double-ended socket system 10 may be formedof any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof thatcan readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the componentsselected are consistent with the intended operation of a double-endedsocket system 10. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers(synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such asfiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/orother like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS,Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene,Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, PhenolicResin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/orother like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper,iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel,aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys,such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy,any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitablematerial; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any double-ended socket system 10may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and thenassembled together. However, any or all of the components may bemanufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another.Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involveextrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding,resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling,drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending,welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or thelike. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they maythen be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, aweld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin,and/or the like), wiring, sewing, any combination thereof, and/or thelike for example, depending on, among other considerations, theparticular material forming the components. Other possible steps mightinclude sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating,anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims.

1. A double-ended socket system comprising: a first socket assembly; anda second socket assembly, wherein each of the first and second socketassemblies further comprises: a housing having a substantiallycylindrical recess therein for housing a socket; a power contact coupledto the housing and coupled to a first end of a power supply wire,wherein a second end of the power supply wire is coupled to anelectrical power supply; a socket of substantially cylindrical shapehoused within the recess of the housing such that the socket is free torotate about the longitudinal axis thereof within the recess between adisengaged orientation and an engaged orientation, wherein the socket isconfigured to seat an end of a double-ended lamp such that thelongitudinal axis of the lamp is substantially aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the socket, wherein the socket may be rotated inresponse to a user rotating the lamp; and a main contact coupled to thesocket, such that the main contact engages the power contact while inthe engaged orientation and the main contact does not engage the powercontact while in the disengaged orientation, wherein an electrical wirelead of the end of the lamp engages the main contact while the end ofthe lamp is seated within the socket, wherein the power contact iscoupled to an electrical power supply such that electrical power issupplied to the lamp to emit light from the lamp while in the engagedorientation.
 2. The double-ended socket system of claim 1, wherein thesocket is in the engaged orientation only when rotated substantially 60degrees or more from the disengaged orientation.
 3. The double-endedsocket system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second socketassemblies further comprises: at least one first spring-loadedlamp-centering pin coupled to the socket of the first socket assembly,such that the end surface of a first flat end of the lamp engages the atleast one first spring-loaded lamp-centering pin; and at least onesecond spring-loaded lamp-centering pin coupled to the socket of thesecond socket assembly, such that the end surface of a second fiat endof the lamp engages the at least one second spring-loaded lamp-centeringpin, wherein each of the springs of the spring-loaded lamp-centeringpins is compressed when a user seats the flat end of the lamp within thesocket in response to the end surfaces engaging the pins, whereby thelamp is maintained in a centered position between the first and secondsocket assemblies, wherein the opposing spring forces are maintained inequilibrium.
 4. The double-ended socket system of claim 1, wherein eachof the first and second socket assemblies further comprises: a pincoupled to the housing and extending into a slot disposed about apartial circumference of the socket, whereby the range of rotation ofthe socket within the housing is limited by the extent of the length ofthe slot.
 5. The double-ended socket system of claim 1, wherein each ofthe first and second socket assemblies further comprises: a coverhingedly coupled to the socket, wherein the cover may be rotated betweenan open orientation and a closed orientation, wherein the cover engagesa lamp seated in the socket to prevent removal of the lamp while thecover is in the closed orientation.
 6. The double-ended socket system ofclaim 5, wherein the cover is closed in response to engagement of thehousing with the cover when the lamp is rotated a minimum angle from thedisengaged orientation.
 7. The double-ended socket system of claim 6wherein the minimum angle is substantially within the range from 2 to 5degrees.
 8. The double-ended socket system of claim 1 wherein the end ofthe lamp is removable from the socket while in the disengagedorientation and non-removable from the socket while in the engagedorientation.
 9. The double-ended socket system of claim 1 wherein eachof the first and second socket assemblies is coupled to a light fixture,wherein the sockets thereof are disposed to receive a first and secondend of a double-ended lamp, respectively, wherein the longitudinal axisof the lamp aligns substantially with the longitudinal axes of thesockets, such that the sockets may be rotated in response to a userrotating the lamp only when both of the first and second ends thereofare seated within the sockets of the first and second socket assemblies,respectively.
 10. The double-ended socket system of claim 1 wherein eachof the first and second socket assemblies further comprises a snappingmechanism coupled thereto for snapping the socket into the engagedorientation.
 11. The double-ended socket system of claim 10 wherein thesnapping mechanism comprises a spring-loaded ball detest.
 12. Thedouble-ended socket system of claim 1 wherein a user may install adouble-ended lamp into the sockets and rotate the lamp to the engagedorientation by use of only one hand and no other tools.
 13. Thedouble-ended socket system of claim 1 wherein a user may rotate adouble-ended lamp from the engaged orientation and remove the lamp fromthe sockets by use of only one hand and no other tools.
 14. A method ofusing a double-ended socket system, comprising: grasping a double-endedlamp; inserting the ends of the lamp into the sockets of the first andsecond socket assemblies of a double-ended socket system while thesockets are in a disengaged orientation, respectively; and rotating thelamp to rotate the sockets to an engaged orientation.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein each and all of the steps of claim 14 may be performedby a user by use of only one hand and no other tools.
 16. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the lamp may be removed from the system only while thesockets are in a disengaged orientation.
 17. The method of claim 14wherein each of the first and second socket assemblies comprises asnapping mechanism for snapping the socket into the engaged orientation,the method further comprising snapping the socket into the engagedorientation.